Player of the Year Preview: The Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Player of the Year race in the state will be one of the most interesting in recent memory.&nbsp; There is no clear leader going into the season.&nbsp; Here we examine the Contenders which if things fall right could be in the race down the stretch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385299' first='Ian' last='Miletic'] (Rolling Meadows)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miletic is the top ranked senior in the state by PHI.&nbsp; He will be able to post big numbers in points, assists, and rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1576114' first='Dietrich' last='Richardson'] (Peoria Manual)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson is the player we are most intrigued by this season.&nbsp; He has all the tools to be a monster player, but the production didn't match last year.&nbsp; We are looking forward to seeing if he can make his team the best in central Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766506' first='Leshawn' last='Stowers'] (Peoria)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were super impressed with what we saw from Stowers over the summer with his high school team playing with the ball in his hands as a scorer and distributor.&nbsp; The Miami (OH) commit has a chance if he can elevate those around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr (Rich Township)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You know that Brooks is going to stuff the stat sheet and now he is on a larger stage with a tougher schedule and better teammates at Rich Township.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545117' first='Nick' last='Allen'] (Bradley Bourbonnais)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen shouldn't have much problem posting consistent double doubles at Bradley Bourbonnais this year.&nbsp; If they win marquee games he can move up!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385283' first='Aleks' last='Alston'] (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alston has the talent to be in contention with his ultra skilled game, size, and athleticism.&nbsp; It is all about consistent production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385301' first='JT' last='Pettigrew'] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pettigrew made a huge leap last season and if he can do more of the same as a senior for one of the best teams in the state he could be in the running.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1774274' first='Jayden' last='Tyler'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler is the primary returner from a state title team last year.&nbsp; Can he post big numbers, win games, and mesh with all the new pieces?&nbsp; If the answer is yes he is going to be a name to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1433337' first='AJ' last='Demirov'] (Crystal Lake South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Demirov opened eyes last year for CLS running the show and playing with flair.&nbsp; Expect them to post a ton of wins and him be the catalyst.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] (DePaul Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Western Illinois commit is the best player for perhaps the best team in the state.&nbsp; He has two state titles under his belt and will be looking for a third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545145' first='Lyncoln' last='Koester'] (Mt. Zion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koester helped lead his team to the final four and with the majority of their core back he is primed to make noise as a senior!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] (Kankakee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is the top ranked junior in the state.&nbsp; Kankakee is looking like a team that can make a big jump this season and be a threat in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark is the lone 2026 who remains of their highly touted group that entered high school together.&nbsp; The #2 recruit in the junior class has elevated his game and is looking to unleash on the CPS!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] (Lemont)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sularski is a highly recruited prospect that has a new home at Lemont where he will have the ball in his hands making plays as a scorer and distributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617353' first='Andre' last='Tyler'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simeon is the most high profile program in the state and for them to reach their potential it will be Tyler who has to be a consistent go to force for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845352' first='Jamson' last='Coulter'] (Rich Township)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coulter is a scoring machine that has pieces around him where he doesn't have to carry everything and they should win at a good clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] (New Trier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big fan of this guard from New Trier who plays with toughness and flair.&nbsp; He elevates those around him while scoring with creativity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] (Alton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stampley could be the best player in the toughest conference in the metro east.&nbsp; Has some interesting pieces around him which could make them intriguing and him as a contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->